Phillies win! Phillies win -- SportingNews on Thursday, August 14 2008

31 years of playoff woes and disappointments have finally been wiped clean. The Phillies disposed of the Pena-less Rangers in a 4 game sweep to win thier first ever NARBL World Series title.

In other news, the hardware was handed out to those special performances this past season:

NL Cy Young - KC's Francisco Liriano (21-8, 2.05 ERA)
AL Cy Young - LV's Tim Lincecum (20-4, 2.07 ERA)

NL ROY - SD's Hunter Pence (.287, 122 RBI)
AL ROY - Clev's Kosuke Fukodome (.316, 100 RBI)

NL MVP - NYM's Adam Dunn (77 HR, .369, 164 RBI)
AL MVP - NO's Alex Gonzalez (.331, 48 HR, 145 RBI)

Pre-Deadline Trade Hype -- SportingNews on Wednesday, May 14 2008

Once again the trade deadline lives up to the hype. 15 deals in a week and a half span. Several players have new zip codes and in the case of Tulowitzki and Bay, a new postal code.

The Dragons and Pirates have made their bids to catch the deadline quiet Phillies. The Texas Rangers are trying to remain kings in the West, while the Angels are determined to catch em. The ChiSox hampered by some injuries have made moves in attempt to catch the rejuvinated Twins who believe they are set to take the Central crown without any major moves.

The New Orleans Wasps and torn down their almost once "dynasty" and are attempting to rebuild with a lot of young faces and 1st round draft picks.

The excitement never ends and no one is a clear favorite to win it all, well it seems that trying to predict a winner never works.

Enjoy the rest of the season and there is still approx 24 hours until the trade deadline closes. Will the flurry of trades continue?

The silence is deafening -- SportingNews on Friday, May 9 2008

With the trade deadline quickly approaching the silence on the trade front in New Orleans has been deafening. Dozens of emails and PM's have been dispatched with only a sparse few responses being returned.

While it is understandable that there may not always be a trade that will work, a response to another GM's offer is not only appreciated but most would assume to be required in an active league.

Are many of the GM's in this fine league on holidays or is New Orleans being given the silent treatment?

Hopefully before the deadline the noises of trade banter will be creeping out of the New Orleans Wasps head office again.

Carolina Dragons are the 2006 WS Champs!! -- SportingNews on Sunday, March 30 2008

Congrats!!

League finals are here -- SportingNews on Monday, March 24 2008

Down to 4 teams and no The Wasps won't make it 3 in a row as they were upset by the surging Redsox in 4 games.

AL Championship Series.

The surprising Boston Redsox take on the big bats of Texas. On paper this should be a quick series, but you never what can happen in a 7-game series. However, the Rangers are far too strong for and should take the series in 6 games.

NL Championship Series.

The battle weary Atlanta Braves will try to slaughter the Dragons. The Braves had narrowly escaped defeat at the hands of the New York Mets, but their fate will be much different vs. the powerhouse that is the Carolina Dragons. Make it a sweep for Carolina.

Playoffs picture is set -- SportingNews on Friday, March 21 2008

The playoffs begin on Monday and my beloved Phillies will not participate even though they had the 4th best record in the Majors!! Hell, a team with a meager .500 record made the post season??? Oh hum, it would have just ended in disappointment for the Philly faithful...

The matchups will be as follows.

In the AL.

Boston Redsox (86-77) will take on the New Orleans Wasps (102-60). With Boston's ace, Steve Woodward, on the shelf for the postseason this is a no brainer. The Wasps will make quick work of the wild card team. Wasps in 4!!

New York Yankees (90-72)will battle the Texas Ranges (93-69). This will be a tough series, but the Texas bats will prevail. Texas in 6!!

In the NL.

San Francisco Giants (81-81) will test their meddle against the mighty Carolina Dragons (111-51). This will be sweep, the Dragons will dust off the pesky Giants in 4!!

New York Mets (103-59) will battle the bruised up Atlant Braves (97-65). IF the Braves top 2 starters weren't hurt this series would be close, but they're not so the Mets will dispatch the Braves early and set up one heck of a League Championship series. Mets in 5!!

Stewart's Bold Prediction: Dodgers to win NL West -- SportingNews on Monday, February 25 2008

Los Angeles - Shannon Stewart, poised to have his best year yet, stepped up at a press conference today and issued a rare prediction: The Dodgers will win the NL West. "We have been underperforming, we can do better and we are better. We will win the NL West this year." With a .440 win percentage and with Jason Giambi sidelined for four weeks with a fractured jaw it should prove a serious challenge. Historically, however, the Dodgers have come from behind late in the season, so being down just two games heading into the All Star break should prove a small hurdle, but a hurdle nonetheless. With their status solidified as an underdog, the team hopes to return this year, sub-.500 or not, to the World Series.

Canseco Party Photos? We have it! -- SportingNews on Saturday, February 23 2008

Exclusive photo from Canseco's party, cleary shows Rogers Clemens in attendance!

HOF Votes in, no one elected for 2005 -- SportingNews on Saturday, January 26 2008

The HOF announced voting results and no one garnered the 75% required for election. David Segui (.308 lifetime BAVG), Barry Larkin (3616 Hits), Roberto Alomar (.298 BAVG, 2771 Hits), Steve Howe (retired in 97, had 420 Saves) will be added to the 2006 ballot.

Final voting results:

1998
OF Bob Meacham - 11% (drops off ballot, need 25% to stay on)

2000
SP Mike Jeffcoat - 47%

2001
SP Bob Kipper - 32%
CF Barry Bonds - 32%

2003
LF Billy Jo Robidoux - 21% (drops off ballot, need 25% to stay on)

2004
Ellis Burks - 58%
Mark Grace - 21% (drops off ballot, need 25% to stay on)
Jeff Blauser - 11% (drops off ballot, need 25% to stay on)

2005
Darryl Hamilton - 5% (drops off ballot, need 25% to stay on)
Matt Nokes - 58%

NARBL Hotstove -- SportingNews on Friday, January 25 2008

It has been a crazy week around the North American Retro Baseball League.

First off the San Diego Padres drafted catcher Russell Martin, making him the first Canadian player taken 1st overall in an amateur draft. This kid is destined for stardom.

In Free Agent news, the San Francisco Giants went on a shopping spree, shelling out loads of cash landing 3B Jeff Cirillo, RF Matt Lawton, P Johnny Guzman and SS Miguel Tejada.

It also seems that the Texas Rangers are ready to start a mass rebuild! Yes, a source close to the team has told the Houston Chronicle that GM Tito Luna is ready to move anyone on the team including A-Rod. Well we'll believe it when we see it.

That's all for now, check back next week :)

New Orleans Wasps - Back to Back Champs! -- SportingNews on Monday, January 21 2008

The streets of New Orleans were flooded, but for the second straight year it was with baseball fans. The New Orleans Wasps had won the NARBL World Series for the second straight year. This time over the overmatched Dodgers of Los Angeles. The series went 5 and was wrapped up in LA, but that didn't stop the fans in New Orleans from filling all the local establishments to cheer on their beloved Wasps. The series MVP was Roy Halladay, Roy pitched 16 2/3 innings of shutout ball winning game 1 and pitching the complete game shutout in the World Series clinching game. Overall in the series the Wasps outscored the Dodgers 19-14 (9 of the runs against were in 1 game).

Things are very bright in New Orleans as the entire team is resigned for next season. Can the Wasps do what has never been done in NARBL history? 3 peat?

Dodgers to Mets: "You're Dunn!" -- SportingNews on Wednesday, January 16 2008

Los Angeles - The Dodgers are back in the NLCS! In a game five nailbiter, the Los Angeles offense broke out in the 10th inning and sent the storybook Mets back to New York. Adam Dunn was shut down by the Dodgers throughout the series, managing little more than a .111 batting average and two home runs. Los Angeles is confident that, after a Smoky Mountain meltdown by heavy favorite Carolina, the Cardinals should give them a chance at reaching yet another NARBL World Championship. Should the Dodgers reach the Championship, they are hopeful that Steve Karsay will be able to bolster their starting rotation, which has been without his arm since September 7th.

Those Amazin' Mets -- SportingNews on Sunday, January 13 2008

New York (AP) - Mets fans finally have something to cheer about! Their beloved Mets made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history! Down 5 games in the wild card chase to the always dominant Phillies, they went on a 12 game winning streak, ending the Phillies quest in a one game tie-breaker beating them 6-3 with trade pick-up Bartolo Colon getting the win.

In other news, Texas slugger Alex Rodriguez continued his dominance in the AL winning the coveted triple crown. He led the league in RBI, Runs, Avg, OPS and HRs.

BREAKING NEWS -- commish on Friday, January 4 2008

Dunn a victim of bad luck, or payoff? -- SportingNews on Friday, January 4 2008

New York (AP) - The conspiracy theorists are questioning whether the pitch thrown inside to Adam Dunn was accidental or a planned pitch from Roger Salkeld. Dunn was injured when the pitch struck his hand, breaking a finger. Sources are alleging a payoff from the Phillies owner Phil Lesage whose team is battling for the wild card spot. Our crack team of investigators are looking into this, stay tuned for more details as they develop!

NARBL nearing 30th anniversary! -- SportingNews on Saturday, December 15 2007

When Jason (Ortlepp) and I started this league in 2002, I had no idea the league would last this long and remain very active. A huge thanks to Phil for helping me co-commish and run most of the sims of course.

We have had 49 trades since Nov 17th, simply amazing participation.

When we start the 2006 season, it will be our 30th season. Since the beginning, we have 6 original owners, and 7 owners that started between 1978-1983.

We have seen records smashed lately and players coming up that will set new records. We have never had a player break .400 and no players close to reaching the wins and saves records set by former players.

It will be fun to follow this league for another 30 seasons and hope that everyone here can be part of it!

Thanks,

Gary

Albert Pujols Joins St Louis + Future for Winning -- SportingNews on Saturday, December 8 2007

Another Big Trade that was a big talk about in Narbl went down between the Toronto Bluejays and St Louis Cardinals Which The following trade concluded: young stud SP Justin Verland, Cardinals First round Ammy of 2006 For 1B/3B Albert Pujols and LF: Reed Johnson, This is Probably one of the biggest trades in NARBL history with the Number one Prospect in the League ( Justin Verlander ) and the number one player in the league ( Albert Pujols ) these two teams took this at a professional matter when the Bluejays called the Cards GM and asked him if Verlander was available and if he was intrested in Albert Pujols. They both came up with a deal that will help both clubs in years to come. Albert Pujols Contract does expire at season end, but the Cardinals and Pujols have discussed a contract extention for next season which will include a 6 year 21-25 Mill Deal along the lines of that, This may be a gamble also but We feel we can keep pujols here in St. Louis and will be a Star caliber Player for many years.


Also a deal with the Pittsburg Pirates and the St Louis cards Went down with the following deal:

Pirates Get:
1B: Ryan Garko
MR: Paul Quantrill
Cards 3erd Round ammy pick of 2007

Cards get:
SP: Octavio Dotel
MR: Luis Ayala
C: Brian Schneider
10 Mill in cash

This deal, is a deal that the cardinals needed to add an arm in the rotation and they feel that dotel will bring leadership to the young pitchers in the rotation with Ankiel and harden, Dotel is already locked up to a contract of 14 Mill to 2009 year. I say that both teams will also make a good fixure out of this deal.

In another deal that went down between the California Angels and the St Louis Cardinals is

Angels Get:
Card 4rth round 2007 ammy pick

Cards get:
MR: Jordan Zimmerman

This is a deal to add another MR if needed during an important replacement if any of our MR go down.


The Cardinals are still in many trade talks with teams including the philadelphia phillies who the cardinals have intrest in young stud SS: J.J. Hardy but their has been no real indication yet that the phillies would move him for SS Cedeno and SS Johnny Peralta.

The cardinals are out of a 1st round pick of 2006 and a 3erd Round pick but they still have their 2006 2nd Rounder and Dets 2006 3erd Rounder and Rangers 3erd Rounder of 2006 Pick; All picks may be able to be traded to any club; for the right deal, and the cardinals would like to make the statement that 3B: Miguel Cabrera, LF Matt Holliday 1B: Albert Pujols will not be traded and will not move them in any matter.

Miguel Cabrera is Calling for a big turn around for the cardinals this year and is predicting that the cards are the team to beat and will make it to the playoffs this season and take the NL Central division.

Dodgers Bring Shannon Stewart to Hollywood -- SportingNews on Tuesday, December 4 2007

Los Angeles - For the second season in a row the Dodgers lack of depth at outfield seemed poised to bring their pennant hopes to an end. LF Micah Franklin was injured for the year just one week into the season and Dodgers scouts were put to the test of finding a quality replacement. Enter Shannon Stewart. Stewart has been underperforming since his acquisition by New Orleans last year and he was clearly not happy in the Crescent City. The opportunity for a new start in the City of Angels put a huge grin on Stewart's face when the call came through from the Dodgers GM. With Stewart, Pedro Munoz, and Rob Butler, the Dodgers have a solid outfield and their only concern now will be what to do when Franklin returns in 2006. The Dodgers also acquired A.J. Pierzynski, who they feel will be an adequate backup and puts to end the long standing competition at catcher between Michael Barrett and Todd Greene. Greene was shipped to New Orleans along with Willie Greene, the thirteen year vet whose days were numbered in Los Angeles. With Ryan Zimmerman waiting at AAA, Willie Greene was likely to go unsigned by the Dodgers at the end of the year, and Zimmerman is excited at the prospect of getting a callup earlier than originally planned. Also going to New Orleans is MR Oscar Villareal and CF Luis Terrero. The Dodgers should have no problems filling Villareal's vacancy either, as Elizardo Ramirez is being called up from AAA as well. The Dodgers feel with their depth of relief pitchers and now outfield they have what they need to contend for the NL West title and possibly the World Championship this year and beyond.

Expectations higher in Steel Town -- SportingNews on Thursday, November 29 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pirates look to the 2005 season with some optimism after what GM Graves considers a "productive offseason". The team was able to acquire a big bat and #1 catcher in Jorge Posada (free agent), as well as a suitable backup in Yorvit Torrealba (trade).

The Bucs feel the rotation received a jolt when they dealt a first round pick for Octavio Dotel who should form a solid 1-2 punch with former Cy Young starter Ben Sheets.

The team will also roll out a rookie closer in Jonathan Papelbon drafted 8th overall this past offseason who throws a fastball clocked as high as 99 mph, typically hitting the mid-90s, with great command. He has a good slider, changeup, as well as a curveball. He was also quoted in a post-game interview that he has been working on a cutter.

"We feel we can win 85 games this season and we will continue to build on that. The fans deserve a winner and they have been pretty supportive" said the enthused GM at a press conference today.

HE'S Back in Red -- SportingNews on Thursday, November 1 2007

The St Louis Cardinals have contacted GM Matt Potocki to fill in the Vacantcy GM spot and Picked up Head Coach Bobby Valentine to fill in the vacantcy Head Coach Spot, also Named Joe Carter a Head Coach and David Justice Bench Coach, That is 1 GM and three Coaches in 2 Days the Cardinals have picked up in this long offseason road, and very quite around the league "its almost like a ghost town, where you hear the night of the living dead crawling around after Halloween is king of spooky" GM Matt Potocki has stated in a news conference, after signing a 2 year 8.8 Million deal with the Cardinals on Monday Night. We want to be a good team and just as better as the Chicago cubs who i managed before teh Cardinals, we are looking to take the Division this season and show the league that a year out of buisness does not matter as long as you know what the H*LL your doing, its no joke to be a GM you just have to make wise moves and add good coaches and players to your team then, the winning comes to perfection.

The Cardinals want to bring the gold home and shock the NARBL and feel they can by adding a few good players in thie off season or making VIA Trades and they are hoping to acquire SP Roy Oswalt from Cleveland Indians and are willing to give up a first and 2nd Rounder to acquire the 15 Game plus winner, Pitching is what this team needs and they do have Rick Ankiel and Rich Harden already in the mixs and have a good Closer Ricky Pickett who is not on the Cardinals Block at the time and have no intentions to trade him, Its time to get down to work and see the important needs of winning and this is what GM Matt Potocki is all about.